Galapatours Logo without whitespace

Master Galapagos Diving Cruise

Master Galápagos Diving Cruise

An unsurpassed liveaboard diving experience

A Galápagos Cruise on board the Master

11 Reviews

Premium
Master Galapagos Diving Cruise
Master Galapagos Diving Cruise
Master Galapagos Diving Cruise

Galápagos Master prides itself as being one of the most eco-friendly Galápagos diving boats in the fleet. This sturdy, all-steel vessel is the perfect choice for getting you to some of the world’s best diving sites at the remote Wolf and Darwin islands. With only 16 guests maximum per trip and a crew of 12, she offers one of the best guest-to-crew ratios of any live aboard dive boat in the Galápagos, and her equipment is first class.

Comfortable cabins Master has nine modern and well-appointed cabins, including four twins on the lower deck, and four on the upper deck. There is an additional single cabin which is available for solo travelers. Lower deck cabins may be preferable for those who suffer from motion sickness, as the ship’s movement will be less apparent in the swells that sometimes occur as you cruise the waters around the Galápagos.

Lower deck cabins feature traditional portholes, while upper deck cabins have larger windows. All have en suite bathrooms with shower, and rooms are air-conditioned for your comfort.

A social experience Galápagos Master’s communal areas are the heart of the ship. The main deck houses the spacious indoor lounge. Comfortable social seating makes this a great place to relax and swap stories about the day’s adventures and your Galápagos diving experience. You’ll also receive your safety and naturalist briefings here. There’s a large flat screen TV with HDMI inputs, which is perfect for watching your diving movies or taking a look at your photos.

Also, on the main deck is the dining area and cocktail bar. Your chef Angel produces a great range of mouthwatering dishes, including his specialty ceviche, which is truly delicious, and can be enjoyed with a range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks from the bar.

Another great touch is the dedicated “camera station” where you can charge and store cameras - there are several North American power sockets available here, ensuring you’ll always be ready to capture the marine life that thrives in the Galápagos.

For sun worshipers, the upper deck open-air lounge is perfect. Comfortable seating and loungers are available to help you soak up the equatorial sun. If you prefer a little more privacy, Galápagos Master’s bow area offers a quieter place to relax, with room for four sun loungers. The boat is very informal and relaxed, and you’re always welcome to use any of the gangways to move around the boat, and the captain is always happy to receive visitors on the bridge.

High quality dive experience The dive deck on Master is very well-equipped, with everything you need for a first class Galápagos diving experience. Everyone is allocated their own equipment set up area, with storage for personal items. Generously sized rinse tanks are centrally located for washing down your dive equipment and camera gear, and there are 2 shower heads if you want a quick post-dive rinse. When you return from a dive, you’ll find a large dry towel waiting for you at your dive station, as well as a welcoming selection of warm drinks and snacks.

Stunning diving itineraries With a choice of seven night and ten night itineraries, a Galápagos Master diving cruise offers something for everyone. Most days include four dives: two in the morning and two in the afternoon, but on some days you will have a shore excursion in the afternoon to allow you to see even more of the stunning Galápagos Islands and some of the land-based animals.

This means that even on a seven night trip, you will enjoy 18-20 dives. However, the ten night trip means an amazing 28 dives are possible - if you can, this would be our recommendation for the ultimate Galápagos diving adventure of a lifetime.

Galápagos Master offers you a wide range of dive equipment for rent at a reasonable daily rate, including full sets (excluding torch and dive computer) from $45 per day. Nitrox is available.

Our comments Galápagos Master is a great option for seasoned divers who want to experience some of the best and most wildlife-rich diving in the world - including the world-famous Galápagos dive sites of Wolf and Darwin. Captain Javier and his dive team are highly experienced and very welcoming, and we particularly like the additional thoughtful touches that Master’s operators have put in place, such as the dedicated camera charging station and the individual preparation stations. This is a very social boat, and her large and comfortable communal areas attest to this. The salon is a great place to spend the evening checking out everyone’s photos and videos on the big screen - pictures from Galápagos you’ll treasure forever!

Amenities on board the Master

meal

All meals

transfer

Transfers to and from ship

footprint

Travel for good: Your Each booking contributes to Ventura’s Conservation Project.

air conditioning

Air conditioning & private bathroom

shared bedroom

Single travellers can share cabin

drinks

Water, Coffee, Tea & fresh juices

EN guide

English guide

Food & Drinks on board the Master

The food on our Galapágos Cruises is among the very best you will find in South America. Most of the on-board chefs are internationally trained and have prior experience working in the best hotels and restaurants in Ecuador and indeed around the world.

You can expect a first-class selection of food, including a good variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, locally sourced poultry and fish/seafood, rice and pasta dishes. Most boats will always include some typical Ecuadorian dishes on the menu during your cruise. If you have specific dietary requirements then these can usually be accommodated by the chef providing you have given advance notice. Please make sure you tell us about any allergies or dietary requirements you have at the time you book with us. If you leave it until you arrive at the dockside, then it may well be impossible to accommodate your needs.

Most boats serve a range of options at meal times in a relaxed buffet-style. At the first class and luxury end of the market, some boats have more formal dining where you will be served at your seat. However the atmosphere is always relaxed on board our cruises, and never stuffy or formal.

Sustainable Tourism

At Galapatours we love and respect the pristine ecosystems and fascinating wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, and we insist that our cruise partners do too. To protect the archipelago all our cruise vessels must have sophisticated water filtration systems, modern efficient engines, and strict maintenance schedules to minimize pollution.

The Galápagos National Park authority also defines exact cruising routes that dictate which ships can visit highlights at specific times, as well as limiting passenger numbers. These measures ensure that animals and habitats are not disturbed by too many visitors.

But at Galapatours we like to go even further. We voluntarily offset all the CO2 emissions of every cruise we sell - at no cost to you. And you can also play your part by traveling responsibly and following our Eco Guidelines during your stay. Click here to find out more about these guidelines, our commitment to sustainable tourism, and the Galápagos National Park rules.

Cabins categories on board the Master

Twin
Premium Twin/Double Cabins

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Master Twin Cabins
Classic Twin Cabins

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Master Twin Cabins
Classic Twin/Double Cabins

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Double
Premium Double Cabin

Type:

Matrimonial

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Technical details of Master

Category
Premium
Type
Small Yacht
Main Engines
2x MTU 475HP
Length
32.3 m
Electricity
110V + 220V
Cruising speed
12 kt.
Beam
7.5 m
Draft
3m
Capacity
16

Reviews of Master

Chris S.

Master Galapagos Diving Cruise

Premium

I’ll be back as soon as possible The best 10 days diving I’ve done! A tremendous holiday. The crew were fantastic and so lovely and helpful. It’s obvious how well they get on together as a team overseen by our captain Javier. The boat is clean and a great deal of hard work goes into keeping it that way. Our dive guides Jimmy-fish and Juan Carlos were such good fun, but knowledgeable and informative both on land and sea. It was a real treat to be able to dive with both of them. We were so lucky to have some wonderful guests to spend time with too; we just gelled together. The wildlife we saw both beneath and above the waves was incredible and incomparable with anywhere else. I can’t recommend this trip enough and I’ll be saving up to go again.

Hasun from Singapore

Master Galapagos Diving Cruise

Premium

The crew made it 5 stars Great trip- boat was good but the crew was exceptional. always buzzing around making sure everything is clean and in order for our comfort. All sites were great and we had a very spectacular mola Mola 'infestation '!!! Only comment would be to change the pillows and I think few other guests feel the same. once again, kudos to the team on Galápagos master.

Sherri S. from Los Gatos

Master Galapagos Diving Cruise

Premium

Best vacation ever My expectations for the trip were exceeded. The main thing that I wanted to see in the Galapagos was the marine iguanas in and out of the water. I was able to see them on our land excursion, but nothing prepared me for the dives that we would do with them. Our dive guides carefully timed our dives for their active time in the water and gave us great instruction on where to locate them and how to approach them for photography. This was the highlight of an already amazing trip for me and just an example of how carefully and knowledgeably our dive itenerary was planned. Our trip was blessed by perfect weather and conditions, but over and over again our dive guides delivered with good planning, attention to safety, small groups, and thorough briefings. The boat and crew were also good. Everything on the boat is ship shape and the crew go out of their way to accommodate and assist the guests. This was the roomiest cabin and biggest shower we have enjoyed on a live aboard. All the attention to the details that make you feel spoiled like warm towels and a hot drink when you come back from diving were available. Each guest had a dedicated area and gear box on deck and another dedicated drawer just inside from the dive deck for hats, sunglasses, dry clothes, etc. While the food was not gourmet, it was good and all special diets were accommodated. There was always a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and I felt like I ate much healthier than I have on other trips. For photographers this boat is a dream. There are staging areas for the cameras with compressed air for drying off on the deck. As well as a fresh water tank for cameras only. Indoors there is yet another staging area for cameras with ample outlets for charging and a large gear drawer for each quest. I have never enjoyed a trip more.

Marina K from London

Master Galapagos Diving Cruise

Premium

Well run boat, with excellent variety of dive sites , great food and comfortable cabins Great trip on Galapagos Master: Diving was fantastic - whale sharks, hammerheads, silkies, galapagos, white tip reef sharks, mola mola, marine iguana, sealions.... the list goes on. Dive guides were knowledgeable, fun and hardworking (also very knowledgeable about the wildlife on land) Good trip to Seymour island to see the frigate birds and blue footed boobies Very comfortable and clean cabins Lots of nice touches - e.g warm towels to climb into at the end of a cold dive.! Consistent gas mix Great food What more can you want from a liveaboard? From https://scubatribe.com/profile/galapagos-masters

Dr Andre H from London

Master Galapagos Diving Cruise

Premium

The Galapagos Master is a fantastic Dive Boat This was a great Dive Boat to do a Dive trip. The staff were really professional. The Boat was very safety conscious with regular Emergency Practice sessions. The Diving set up was excellent and the Dive crew were really helpful. The food was amazing and each meal was a delight. The Captain of the boat was really competent and I felt we were in good hands. Every staff member was helpful and friendly. I loved every minute of the trip! From https://scubatribe.com/profile/galapagos-master

Ester from Costa Mesa

Master Galapagos Diving Cruise

Premium

Great and easy liveaboard experience! The crew members are fantastic. They made sure that I never had to "work" on this vacation. The dives were great, but a bit cold. It would be nice if there are warmer gears for rent. The visibility wasn't great. These are to no fault of the dive company, of course. The food was great and having warm towels after every dive is a great idea! The toilets should be upgraded though - the time it takes to flush, the reliability that the flush would work, and the stench from the toilet was awful. Other than that, everything is great!

Similar Ships

Coral I and II Galapagos Cruise
Premium

Coral I & II

Unique amongst the Galápagos fleet, these "twins" were the first to operate in this manner. Other firsts we've discovered - the first boats with an on-board barbecue, and the first with solar-powered jacuzzi! Your captains are Javier and Fabian, and in talking with the crew, we discovered that 95% of them have been working on the Corals for 10 years or more - a real sign of quality and smooth running. The Coral twins have an unrivalled reputation for operating sustainably, and we've found out that their reclamation, recycling and waste processing systems exceed the National Park Requirements. For an absolutely unique Galápagos experience, join the beautiful twins Coral I and II as you cruise in tandem to discover the hidden wonders of the archipelago. The two yachts do everything together, including their 2016 refurbishment which saw them completely refurbished with the latest energy-saving equipment and stunning uprated furnishings throughout. Coral I is a modern, first-class mega yacht with 18 double exterior cabins and a maximum of 36 passengers; Coral II is an elegant, classic and charming motor yacht for maximum of 20 passengers. Combined, they provide the intimacy of a small-scale adventure itinerary with the outstanding features of a luxury cruise. These beautiful twins provide the perfect combination of classic lines and wonderful style. The decor throughout has been carefully planned to give a warm and intimate feel, with natural shades reflecting the colors of the Islands as you sail. Thanks to wonderful panoramic windows throughout, the ocean and nature seem to fill the boats. The communal areas of the salon, dining room and bar have been beautifully finished with hand-crafted wood finishes that take you back to the golden age of maritime travel. Cozy sofas, TV/DVD, stereo and guest library add the perfect finishing touches. Bringing us right up to date, the wonderful jacuzzi tub and the sun and shade decks give you the choice of every outdoor ambiance to relax and socialize in. The Corals recent refit brought them right up to date, and they now feature new dedicated electrical outlets for 110V appliances compatible with iPod, iPad, iPhone, Android and MP3 players. There are three classes of cabin to choose from and all have stylish new furniture and full air conditioning. Other cabin amenities include flat screen TV, music system, personal safe and internal phone. Everyone enjoys an elegant private bathroom with cold and hot water, hair dryer, electric mirror and other amenities. Some cabins can also connect, making them ideal for families or group traveling together. No luxury experience would be complete without superb refreshment. The elegant bar on board is well stocked with local beers, the finest South American wines and premium spirits and a selection of cocktails. Highly trained chefs prepare a diverse and exciting range of local and international fine dining served in a more relaxed buffet style. An outdoor barbecue station on the sundeck provides the opportunity to sample wonderfully fresh grilled produce with an ocean view that is unrivalled. The unique twin vessels of Coral I & II just ooze with that classic motor yacht charm, and yet they have up to the minute amenities and comfort. We really like the high sundecks with jacuzzi tubs, and the panoramic windows fitted to all the indoor communal spaces make you feel like you’re outside even when you’re sitting in the comfortable, elegant lounge. There’s also something a little bit special about cruising in tandem, and alway seeing your twin boat with you

Tiburon Explorer Galapagos
Premium

Tiburon Explorer

Tiburon Explorer heralds a new era in luxury Galápagos diving liveaboards. Designed and built purely for Galápagos cruising, Tiburon brings you the perfect balance between wonderful diving experiences and superb accommodation. Welcoming a maximum of only 16 guests, Tiburon Explorer offers you a truly intimate Galápagos diving adventure. Superb comfort: As you'd expect from a modern ship, Tiburon Explorer is a world away from older, often converted vessels that offer cramped accommodation with portholes and bunks. Here you'll enjoy beautiful staterooms with twin beds that convert to a single queen size bed, climate control, and en suite bathrooms. Wonderful picture windows let the light and stunning views come flooding in, while chic and modern decor with recessed accent lighting gives your room a real boutique hotel feel. If you'd like even more space, why not book one of three suites on board? Featuring a private lounge area and extra space, these offer you a level of comfort you simply can't find on other Galápagos diving liveaboards. Designed for diving: Tiburon Explorer features a state-of-the-art dive deck with everything you need to make the start and finish of your dives hassle free. With only 16 passengers on board at any one time there's plenty of space to get ready. A recessed stairway leads to the waterline for easy zodiac embarkation. The large camera table with charging points, separate rinsing stations for gear and cameras, personal storage lockers and a dedicated bathroom are all testament to the thought that went into her design. But as well as being a superb Galápagos diving platform, M/V Tiburon Explorer is also a luxurious home from home. Her saloon features comfortable sofas and side tables in a sociable layout. Dining is equally sociable, with a large table accommodating all guests and your dive guides. This bonds everyone over the day's dive adventures as well as making it easy to quiz your expert guides about everything you have seen. When it comes to relaxing between dives there aren't many places better than the Tiburon Explorer's sun deck. This amazing space has loungers for sun-worshippers, shaded sofas for cooler relaxing, a fantastic alfresco bar, and even a whirlpool jacuzzi. This is the perfect place to watch the equatorial stars appear as the sun sets over the horizon. Our comments: This is a fabulous luxury dive vessel. Calling it a liveaboard doesn't really do it justice compared to others. If you are after a Galápagos diving experience that marries remarkable dive sites with luxurious accommodation then this is the vessel to book. Her dive guides are among the most experienced in Galápagos, and you will dive at the iconic Wolf and Darwin sites. This package really has it all!.

National Geographic Islander Galapagos Cruise
Premium

Islander

\- Twin hulls for superb stability \- Medical officer on board \- Superb naturalist guides and expedition equipment \- Fantastic social spaces A purpose-built expedition ship, Islander is truly worthy of wearing the "National Geographic" name. With big ship facilities like a doctor's office and email station, yet the intimacy provided by only 24 cabins, you get the best of both worlds from a Galápagos cruise on National Geographic Islander. **A range of comfortable accommodation** National Geographic Islander was built as a naturalist expedition ship, but not at the expense of your comfort! With five classes of cabins to choose from, there's something for everyone on this [Galápagos islands](https://www.galapatours.com/en/island) cruise. All of her cabins feature two full-size single beds that can be converted to generous queen-size doubles if you prefer. For families, or those traveling as a group, there are two cabins that can sleep a third person. Every accommodation enjoys at least one standard window with ocean views, and some offer an enclosed private balcony area. The largest cabins on the upper deck provide superb wrap-around windows offering you unrivalled vistas as you cruise the Galápagos islands. Every room features a private bathroom with a shower, individual climate control, power sockets, and a desk. The decor is classic, with plenty of beautiful natural wood, and the walls feature unique wildlife photography of the Galápagos from National Geographic's stunning photo libraries. **Social spaces in which to relax and discover** Despite being "built for adventure", National Geographic Islander offers high levels of comfort while you are on board between excursions. You'll find that you will bond quickly with your like-minded fellow guests thanks to her large dining room, which accommodates everyone in a single sitting. You will swap tales of your Galápagos discoveries while enjoying the freshest local and international cuisine prepared by the on board chefs. Breakfast and lunch are usually buffet-style, with dinners being served to you. There's no formality on National Geographic Islander, and guests freely mingle. You'll often be joined for dinner by your naturalist guides, giving you an even deeper insight into the Galápagos as you enjoy this relaxed ambiance. The ship's large and comfortable lounge bar quickly becomes the social hub of your trip, and this is where you'll gather daily for your briefing and the National Geographic tradition known as "Recap". There's plenty of comfortable seating here for relaxing, reading, or just watching the world outside the panoramic windows. If you want some quiet time to yourself, why not select a book from the well-stocked and cosy library? Or perhaps head out to the decks and enjoy one of the hammocks that are rigged for guests - what could be better than basking in the Galápagos warmth like a [marine iguana](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-marine-iguana) while the ship gently sways beneath you? For an even more indulgent experience, why not book the ship's wellness specialist to give you a relaxing - or invigorating - treatment in the on board spa? You can also enjoy a guided stretching session on the open decks every morning. **Extras that help you really explore Galápagos** Given all the creature comforts that Islander offers you may forget that she is a National Geographic Galápagos expedition ship. But exploration and discovery are at the heart of what she offers. Her naturalist guides are among the most experienced in the islands, and she carries four zodiacs (known locally as "pangas") which means the whole ship's company can be transported to excursions at once, eliminating waiting times on board, and increasing your time on the Galápagos islands themselves. As well as pangas, National Geographic Islander carries 8 sea kayaks (a mix of singles and doubles) for guests to use. These offer a unique way to explore shallow inlets and mangroves, as well as to enjoy an "up close and personal" ocean experience. You will also be issued with your own snorkel gear for use during your cruise, including 3mm "shorty" wetsuit, allowing you to spend longer in the water with the amazing Galápagos wildlife, such as [Galápagos sea lions](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-sea-lion), [green turtles](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-green-sea-turtle), and [Galápagos penguins](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-penguin). Other unique facilities include a high definition underwater camera and a video microscope - both of which are used to great effect by the ship's naturalist experts to enhance your understanding of the flora and fauna of Galápagos. **Our Comments** There is no bigger name in natural history than "National Geographic", and we love the focus that this cruise puts on giving you a deep and rich understanding of the Galápagos islands and its wildlife and landscapes. Complimentary full snorkel gear, sea kayaks, and even a video microscope will bring you closer to Galápagos than other cruises. When you add to this the luxurious cabins, "big ship facilities", and the superb food and attentive crew, this Galápagos cruise really does offer it all.

galaxy
Premium

Galaxy

This traditional, single-hull motor yacht has been beautifully designed to offer the most relaxing cruise experience in first class surroundings. Built in 2007, Galaxy has modern features and fittings with a sumptuous hand-crafted decor with a traditional flavour. Although capable of carrying 19 passengers, we choose to limit numbers to 16 – keeping your journey aboard Galaxy more intimate and personal than a larger vessel can provide. Galaxy is one of the few boats in her class to be awarded the Smart Voyager Certification. This prestigious accreditation is awarded in recognition of operating practices that reduce negative environmental impact of tourism in the Galápagos Islands. Galaxy has demonstrated her excellence in conservation of ecosystems, decreased risk of introduction of non-native species, continuing staff training programs, exemplary Quality Management systems and the best practices in waste management and security. Inside the ship you can find the lounge with flat screen TV, sound system and a library has amazing panoramic windows providing a constantly changing view of the Galápagos. Rich, sumptuous sofas let you relax totally whilst you simply enjoy being on board. Dining on Galaxy is an experience in itself, and the buffet service in the elegant dining room allows you to sample the best of local and international cuisine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. With 10 staff to 16 passengers, including a bilingual naturalist guide, you can be assured of excellent levels of service and attention. Our bartender has a particular way with cocktails, so be sure to take advantage of his skills. The outside communal areas take Galaxy above others in her class. The large and beautiful wooden decks provide ample room to find a cozy corner. Sofas and loungers mean comfort is never far away. The upper sun deck has both welcoming shade and open skies – perfect for soaking in the sun or gazing at the stars.


2024 Galapatours, a Ventura TRAVEL GmbH brand

All rights reserved

go picture

Your contact

Micaela

Book a video consultation

15min face to face consultation

go picture